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I've known for several weeks now, and I've been hinting about it on Twitter. But I wasn't allowed to officially share the news until I received the contract in the mail, signed it, and returned it to the publishing house. Boy, was the wait excruciating!

But now it's signed and completely official! And finally I can share this news with all of you who understand just how long and hard I've worked for this accomplishment.

Last time I updated you, my book proposal was on it's way to Publication Committee which is the group of important people who make the final decision on whether to take on a project or not. They were meeting on Thursday. And my agent had informed me the committee would make a decision that day.

All Thursday I tried not to think about my proposal and the fact that the editors might be using its pages as coasters. But no matter how hard I tried to think of raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, my eyes kept straying to the clock. I had decided if I didn't hear from anyone by the end of the business day, then they'd wadded up the many sheets of my proposal and tossed them in the trash with their paper coffee cups.

6:00 p.m. loomed nearer and I prepared myself for the worst. At 5:58 the phone rang. Before it could ring twice, I sprang for it with a breathless, "Hello."

"Hi, Jody." The perky voice on the other end belonged to none other than my agent, Rachelle Gardner.

My heart didn't know whether to stop beating or speed up, so it started doing crazy splutters. "Rachelle. Good news or bad?"

She laughed. "I literally got a one line email from the senior editor on his way out the door. And. . ." She paused.

Even though Rachelle didn't know any of the details of the contract at that point, I knew ALL I needed to know. I had a contract. I would finally get to publish a book. My lifelong dream had come true.

Thanks, Rachelle, for making dreams come true.

And thanks to all of you for sharing in this joyful experience with me!

77 comments:

Woooooohooooooo! I knew it! I just knew it!!!! Jody, you are such a talented writer and I am just thrilled for you! I love that you are opening the doors for medieval writers everywhere!!!! I cannot wait to get to finish reading the rest of your story!

Keep celebrating and enjoy your conference coming up, knowing that YOU ROCK!!!! I will certainly be looking forward to reviewing your book!!!!!

Congratulations, Jody. I sort of figured that was where you were heading. When I got a similar call from Rachelle, I was ready to take out a quarter-page ad in the newspaper to tell the world, but she told me I had to keep the news under wraps until the contract was executed. Those were the looooooongest days of my life. So I know exactly how you feel. Happy for you (and for our great agent).

THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE BESTEST NEWS, JODY!!!! You and your family must have been on such a high these couple of weeks. What are the kids saying? Did throw confetti for you, are they walking around on tip-toes to let you write now?

I can't wait to celebrate your awesome success at conference, Jody. Praying hard for the flu bug to miraculously disappear--I really want to see you!!! Hug you!!! And celebrate with you!!!

Okay, enough caps and certainly enough exclamation points, though you deserve more of each!!!!!!!

Can you hear me hooting and hollaring! I know, I need to keep it down a little, but NOT NOW! Excellent news. You've worked so hard! I am excited to walk with you on this journey, but am feeling a little like I'm having to sprint to catch up. :DI'm proud of you.~ Wendy

WHHHHHOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!! I am jumping in the air here in FLorida for you!! Jody, I am so happy for you:))) And thank you most for sharing it with us like you did. I felt like I was right there answering that phone with you!!!!! I can't wait to hear more details as they come out!

Jody, so exciting!!! While I was in San Antonio I received a copy of my friend Lisa Moser's fourth picture book. It is so beautiful and is such a treasure. The only thing better than holding your own new book is holding your friend's, truly, and I can't wait to have yours in hand! Blessings and thanks be to God, who has been with you all the way and is affirming your direction. Celebrate with your family, of course, your first treasures. Without them nearby, it wouldn't be nearly as sweet. !!!

This is what happens when I make myself finish polishing my proposal before I can read any blogs.

I'm late to the party.

Jody, I'm SO incredibly happy for you and your fabulous news. Thanks for sharing your journey with us and offering hope that it can happen for us, too. If and when I find you in the crowd in Denver, I think I might just have to jump up and down with you in person.

Aagghh!!!!!!!! I'm literally dedicating all my happy today for you!!!!!!! I am insane with joy. Jut to se one of my sister's in Christ live the dream is enough for me. I'm so thrilled and cannot wait to hear details and finally read your novel. You are a true inspiration to us all. I heart you!!!!!

Jody; OH MY GOSH. OH MY GOODNESS. OH MY WORD!!!!!!! I am ecstactic for you, girl!!!! All your hard work and prayers paid off! Isn't God awesome? Glory to Jesus!!!! I am so happy I could take the day off work and go shopping to celebrate! Can you tell us who is publishing your book? This is so exciting, I can't stand it!Congratulations. This gives me hope and more hope. I am so proud of you. I better quit, I am so excited for this wonderful news!Yippeee Dipee and Happy Day!!

Way to go, Jody! So happy for you. Such great news! I've heard so many stories of things going south after you hook up with an agent, it was great hearing your news. Just goest to show you, great writing always wins! Can't wait to read it!

Oh, my goodness, Jody!!! I am soooooo excited for you!!!!!!!!!! I knew good news would come your way. You are so talented. I can't wait to read your novels, and I'm so looking forward to reading about the rest of your publishing story! I'm doing the biggest happy dance in your honor right now!

This post made my day! I can imagine the news made your day...your week...your year!! I have this gigantic smile on my face! You have no idea how much I appreciate your sharing your journey with us! It offers so much encouragement and excitement! And those are both things I really need going into this conference. I can't wait to give you a hug in person and celebrate with you.

I'm dying to know what publishing house you are publihing with!! Congrats a thousand times over!!

Mega congratulations, Jody! I've been waiting for this awesome news. What a thrill it will be to go to the conference as a contracted, soon-to-be published author. I'm thrilled for you. Looking forward to hearing more of the details--and to reading your book.

i'm so sorry to be getting in late on the celebration as well!! CONGRATS!! this is AWESOME news. :) the Lord has been so faithful to you....and you faithful to hone your craft. i'm so happy for you. YOU GO GIRL!!

Congratulations Jody!! I've only known you a short time, but as fellow Michiganders, I'm so excited for you!! Looking forward to the finished product. What's the timeline like? Any ideas when your book will appear in print? Once again, congrats!! :)

Exciting, wonderful, amazing, glorious, and many other positive terms come to mind. I've been reading your blog for a couple of months now, and I know how HARD you have worked for this moment. You deserve it, and thanks for sharing news of the journey with us. I've learned a lot here. wb